Time: 15 minutes

Materials

• Tape recorder or video camera
• Copies of prints from childrens books, photos, or other art work
• Paper and pencil, if necessary (but the focus should be on storytelling)

Set up

• Divide children into small groups of 4-5 children.
• Set up a quiet area where recording can take place.

Directions

• Talk about how a story can come from anything, even a piece art work or a photo.
• Tell children that they will be given a picture and they will be the authors of their own tales.
• Provide a copy of a print to each group of children. Ask groups to look at the photo and decide what the story is surrounding this illustration.
• Once they have decided on their tale, set up the video camera or tape recorder and have each child in the group share one part of the story while you are taping it.
• If possible, reproduce copies of the videotape to share with parents or show the video at a parents night.